OT- DC Metro parking Questions

[chartle]

OK this off topic but I don't know where else to go but it does concern transportation just not WDW transportation.

We are planning a trip to DC this year because its cheap. We are looking at two campgrounds near the College Park Metro Station.

I know how the Metro works but have a question about parking in the lots. The two campgrounds are near bus stops and we have no issue with public transportation and buses since my wife and I have been taking buses for 40 years. In fact one of them has a stop in the campground. The issue is that one (Cherry Hill Park) is $55 a night for a basic tent spot.

The other campground (Greenbelt Park) is a National Park and only $16 and is more our speed but its not near a bus stop so we would have to walk a half mile or so to get to it. Also parking would be cheaper than 4 on a bus two times a day and I'm just a little concerned walking back the campground maybe after dark.

Now for the parking question. Years ago they used to reserve spots for for day guests that would only open up at say 9:00 AM. I understand those are long gone.

I've been trying to figure out if I can monitor the Metro website to see if during the day they fill up. The ones we are interested in are Green Belt and College park. The Metro Website has a page for each station and if i'm reading this right Green belt has spots open.

http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=80

One other issue is this trip will most likely be after Memorial day so doesn't the Capital close up shop for the summer so there should be plenty of spots.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

One other issue is this trip will most likely be after Memorial day so doesn't the Capital [sic] close up shop for the summer so there should be plenty of spots.

No. There are many government employees who work during the summer. Plenty of people use the lots in the summer, plus you have a lot more tourists.

I don't know of any way to check how full the parking is at a Metro lot on any particular day without physically going there.

Don't forget that you now need a SmartCard to get out of most Metro lots during paid parking times.

 

[chartle]

No. There are many government employees who work during the summer. Plenty of people use the lots in the summer, plus you have a lot more tourists.

I don't know of any way to check how full the parking is at a Metro lot on any particular day without physically going there.

Don't forget that you now need a SmartCard to get out of most Metro lots during paid parking times.

Yea I know about the about the smart card its just I thought the website told you is spots were available but I think where it says Availability: Yes they mean reserved parking spots.

The don't have anything that tells you if spots are available but they have an app and website telling you everything you wanted to know about the availability of elevators. http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/elevator_escalator.cfm?